11pm.

there’s something truly empowering about being able to step back & acknowledge the effort you’ve put into something, regardless of the outcome. its easy to fall into the trap of beating yourself up when things dont turn out the way you envisioned, especially when youve poured your heart into it. but the truth is, effort is never wasted, even if the results arent immediately visible. when you give your best, youve already succeeded in one of the most important ways by showing up & trying. the intention behind your actions is what truly matters, not just the end result.

its natural to feel disappointed when things dont pan out, especially when your intentions were pure & genuine. you gave what you had to offer with the best of your ability, & yet, it may not have been enough, or it may have just not aligned with the outcome you hoped for. but that doesnt make your efforts any less valid. sometimes, life doesnt follow a clear-cut path, & not everything will unfold as expected. but that doesnt mean you should discredit your efforts. instead, recognize that each situation is an opportunity for growth & learning.

owning the parts of the situation that couldve gone better is a sign of maturity & self-awareness. its important to be honest with yourself about what you could have done differently. self-reflection is crucial, but it should never lead to self-blame. acknowledge your mistakes or missteps, but dont get stuck in them. every misstep is simply a lesson waiting to be learned, & every moment youre still standing means you have another chance to apply that lesson moving forward. you dont have to be perfect to be valuable, & you dont need to have everything figured out to keep growing.

in those moments where the direction feels unclear, when it seems like youre moving forward without knowing exactly where youre going, trust the process. life is rarely linear, & its often filled with twists & turns that make it harder to see the path ahead. yet, as long as you continue putting one foot in front of the other, you are making progress. even if you dont have all the answers now, the very act of pushing forward is what will eventually guide you to clarity. trust in your ability to navigate through uncertainty, knowing that even a small step is still a step toward something meaningful.

ultimately, its about embracing the journey, no matter how unclear or unpredictable it may seem. celebrate the fact that youre not letting setbacks hold you back. keep moving forward with the understanding that lifes experiences, good & bad, are all shaping you into who you’re meant to become. & even though the destination may be uncertain, what’s most important is that you’re doing the work, putting in the effort, & learning along the way. keep your head up, stay resilient, & remember that each effort, each experience, brings you closer to the growth & understanding you need to thrive. be good to yourself & those around you. be safe & god bless you

-rl

look what you’ve done.

2k24. lookin back on what this year has consisted of is such a bittersweet feeling because all while navigating through the peaks & valleys, so much growth was transpiring & it ultimately led me to being where it is that i am today & for that i am forever grateful. yk we always say that all things happen for a reason & sometimes we question the reasoning behind the things that happen to us but all while there is a reason, there is a purpose. this one is going to be a little bit more personal than usual but we all gotta give back to ourselves & allow all that comes with us have it’s day.

there is a deep sense of appreciation for all life threw @ me in the last 365; it provided an opportunity for me to gather an understanding for the world, people, & my faith. it all comes back around full circle just to say the least & all that is meant to find its way into our lives & our knowing WILL always make itself known. it was all while i had truly hit my rock bottom that most of this understanding transpired & stems from; it almost serves as the foundation for all that comes before & after. one thing after another continued to happen to me & all i could ever ask for is a reason “why?” whether it was being jobless with no money to my name, a really ugly breakup, or the passing of my dog, never did one thing ever seem to outweigh the other but all contributed to finding my way back in the most humble fashion.

i can truly say that it all was a huge learning experience ; a huge mind for insights. this served as a great reminder that it is never in the best interest of one to lean on their own understanding but to turn your heart to God & allow him to place his holy hand over your life & show you what it is that is truly meant for you. trust that once i began to give him that control, the difference was night & day. things that didn’t serve my spirit right found their way out of my life with an ease that felt as close to natural as it possibly could have & the blessings started to unfold & present themselves in ways that i couldn’t begin to explain & now by the good grace of God, i can truly say that i am in the best place of my life that i have ever been & there are no words that can justify the feeling of gratitude i have going into this next year.

from a strong relationship with family who never turned their back on me & stuck with me through the ups & downs, to a love from an individual that knows no conditions. to my family, i thank you all with every bit of me for always believing in me, even when it was hard to believe in myself. you guys all held me up while i was down & showed me that while all else goes wrong, family will always be there. & to my cilla, thank you for showing me that love has no limits. thank you for pushing me to be the best person that i can possibly be & bringing the best out of me every single day. i owe it all to y’all & God, without y’all, i am nothing.

to the person reading this that may be trying to find their way throughout all the adversity they are going through in life, continue to keep pushing. all that is going wrong shall pass & you will find yourself on the other side of things. continue to trust in God & his process he has for you, & continue to serve him & those who are in your life that contribute to your peace. maintain being an honorable person to those who may not always serve you right. continue to always walk with grace & purpose with every step you take. may God be with you & yours, until next time! -rl

more than able.

believing that you deserve blessings can change your life. we encounter many chances, often hidden in difficulties & doubts. it's important to remember that our worth is not determined by outside factors or what others think. instead, it comes from within us. by recognizing our true potential, we can attract blessings that fit our real goals, leading to fulfillment & success.

the first step is to realize that our biggest obstacles often come from our own mindset. self-doubt & limiting beliefs can hurt our confidence, making us hesitate to chase what we truly want. if we let these thoughts take over, we may miss out on important experiences & opportunities. building a positive mindset takes effort & awareness, but it's essential for unlocking our potential & inviting future blessings.

additionally, opportunities are not always obvious or straightforward. life can take surprising turns, & what seems like a setback might lead to great benefits. to take advantage of these chances, we need to stay open & adaptable. embracing change & taking smart risks can move us beyond our comfort zones, helping us find new paths we otherwise might overlook. this way, we become active participants in our journeys instead of just watching from the sidelines.

a supportive network can greatly improve our ability to recognize & take advantage of opportunities. being around people who encourage us & believe in our potential creates a positive environment. these relationships offer emotional support, inspiration, & new viewpoints. however, we must remember that our success ultimately depends on us. we need to engage with these connections, seek advice, & trust our own choices. the biggest barrier to our progress is often ourselves. by changing our mindset, accepting uncertainty, & building supportive relationships, we can create a life full of opportunities. when we value ourselves and aim high, we become ready to embrace the abundance life offers. this intentional effort not only helps us see our potential but also drives us to achieve our dreams.

so go out & chase your dreams beloved. put one foot right in front of the other & make the most out of every single day that God blesses you with. understand that you were put on this earth for a reason & you have a purpose to fulfill. so chase that dream, remain driven for you & the kingdom that awaits you. continue to look to the sky & let your mind & heart spill through your prayers & your stars will align. happy holidays to you & yours, God bless you!

rl.

thanksgiving

in life, we often find ourselves judging our worth based on others' actions & opinions. this can lead to disappointment since our self-esteem shouldn't rely on outside validation. it's important to accept ourselves as we are & realize our worth is inherent. embracing things as they are allows us to grow & accept ourselves. gratitude for what we have helps us focus on nurturing our gifts instead of always wanting more.

it’s tough to learn that our efforts don’t always produce the expected results. no matter how much time or energy we put in, we can't control how others react. understanding this frees us from unrealistic expectations & gives us back our emotional independence. when we stop seeking validation & focus on our passions and relationships, we create a more fulfilling life.

taking control of our lives means deciding what we will & won't accept. this decision is empowering & helps establish healthy boundaries & self-respect. by choosing our environment & the people around us, we create a space that reflects our values & goals, allowing us to recognize our worth & the positive impact we have on others. taking pride in where we are often comes from appreciating the journey that brought us here. every experience, good or bad, shapes who we are. accepting this journey builds resilience & a positive view of the future. we can be thankful, knowing each challenge helps us grow & reach our destined path. as we move forward, it's essential to stay hopeful about our direction. gratitude for our blessings keeps us positive. by keeping God central in our lives, we invite guidance & wisdom in our choices. this connection reminds us we are not alone & gives us strength to appreciate our present, embrace our past, & look forward to a bright future.

as we reflect on the blessings in our lives, it becomes clear how much we have to be thankful for. each day presents us with opportunities to appreciate the simple joys & the meaningful moments that fill our lives. from the warmth of family gatherings to the laughter shared with friends, these experiences remind us of the connections that enrich our existence. recognizing these blessings invites a deeper awareness of the support & love that surrounds us, encouraging us to embrace a mindset of gratitude that can transform our daily lives.

nurturing the relationships we have is essential for our personal growth and fulfillment. the people we choose to surround ourselves with often inspire us to strive for greatness & challenge us to become the best versions of ourselves. by investing time & energy into these connections, we cultivate an atmosphere of mutual understanding & encouragement. each act of kindness we offer & each moment we share builds a foundation of trust & respect, creating a space where we can all flourish together.

pouring into ourselves and those around us with intention of grace & virtue fosters a culture of positivity & compassion. it is through our actions, whether big or small, that we can extend support & uplift one another. by treating ourselves & others with kindness, we weave a tapestry of goodwill that fosters an approach for those around us.

treat all aspects of life with true intention; from a place of being nothing but genuine & your purpose will translate into everything else. blessings to you & yours. may the lord cover you all in this time of thanksgiving, know that my love is with you. til next time.

-rl

soul food

every day that we wake up & breathe is a testament to the life we have been granted. this simple act of being alive is often overlooked amidst the chaos of daily responsibilities & routines. however, each moment above ground presents an opportunity to engage with the world & explore our purpose. it serves as a gentle reminder that life itself is a blessing, encouraging us to embrace the potential of each new day & the experiences it brings.

as we navigate through life, it is vital to recognize the importance of relationships, not just with others but also with ourselves. the connections we form can enhance our experiences & enrich our lives significantly. by investing time & energy into understanding & nurturing these relationships, we sow the seeds of growth & fulfillment. when we prioritize our interactions & treat ourselves with kindness, we cultivate a more profound sense of purpose that radiates outward to those around us.

life's journey is rarely a straight path; it is filled with ups & downs, peaks & valleys. this nature is inevitable & at times can feel daunting. however, it is during these moments of struggle that we often find our greatest strengths. adversity teaches us resilience & opens our eyes to the beauty of perseverance. when we accept that challenges are a part of life, we can approach them with a more balanced mindset, knowing that brighter days lie ahead.

finding our way through life's trials calls for self-reflection and understanding. we must be willing to engage with our thoughts and emotions, recognizing that discomfort is a natural part of growth. by acknowledging our vulnerabilities, we create space for healing & transformation. this journey fosters deeper connections with ourselves, prompting a greater appreciation for the blessings we often take for granted.

surrounding yourself with people & things that resonate with your true self is essential for personal growth & authenticity. when you are in the company of individuals who uplift & inspire you, their positive energy encourages you to embrace your own strengths & passions. likewise, the environment around you plays a crucial role; being surrounded by items that spark joy or creativity can enhance your mood & motivate you to express yourself genuinely. all while establishing a safe space where you can explore your peace & growth.

ultimately, each day offers a chance to fulfill our true purpose & to cherish the relationships we build. embracing life as a blessing empowers us to approach each moment with gratitude and intention. by acknowledging the peaks & valleys that accompany our experiences, we can navigate through life's intricacies with grace. in doing so, we welcome a life that is rich in meaning, connection, and fulfillment. check in with your loved ones & more importantly, check in with yourself. god bless !

-rl